writing a story about World War I, 1917-1918 related to the uploaded photo and video

American Militarism Research Project

The Project: Imagine walking up to a photo on a wall, pulling out your phone to scan it, and receiving all kinds of extra information right there on your device. In this research class, you will do a research project that accomplishes that. The research project will incorporate still images, video, and voice to tell about a significant experience moment in American military history.

The Assignment: Your task is to create a research project with a digital component. You have been assigned a general research topic on an American war. Your job is to locate a photograph of that war, locate also a documentary of the same war, and then write a story that provides information regarding your assigned war. Both the photograph and the documentary must be approved by your instructor before you start your research. The story you write will then be read and your voice will act as a narration in the research project.

The Goal: The goal of this project is a brief but detailed exploration of some aspect of American military history.

The Purpose: The purpose of this project includes developing critical reading, writing, and investigative skills; enhancing historical research methods; and developing interpretive skills using primary sources.

Project Objectives: The following describe the objectives of the research project. From this assignment students will improve their writing and communication skills; develop several technology and media production skills; learn about the importance of oral history techniques; learn how to create stories that are engaging and meaningful; develop presentation skills; develop and manage artwork, pictures, and video to support their stories; and become “producers and directors” of a media project.

The Process: Use the following steps to complete your project. Each step must be completed to successfully do the assignment.

Step 1: locate a photograph from Google images that are specific to your assigned war.

Step 2: locate a documentary from YouTube or PBS or the History Channel that is in relation to your assigned war.

Step 3: do research on your war. Look at both primary and secondary sources and become familiar with everything there is to know about your war. Become familiar with dates, persons, events, and conclusions to your war.

Step 4: write your story out and use it as a plan to follow for your voice narration. You’ll have to write several times and you will also have to rehearse your narration several times. Your written piece should be no more than two pages, typed, and double-spaced.

Step 5: select the clip from the documentary that you will record using your mobile device. Be sure to have the volume off so that while the clip is playing you are reading your story and your voice serves as a layover for the documentary. You’re recording should be anywhere between 3 to 5 minutes long.

Step 6: once you’re recording and your voice narration is complete you then will upload all your media to the software used to create an augmented digital piece. The account has already been created. Your job is to log in, upload your media, and sync both the photograph and you’re recording together. See your instructor for a demonstration.

Photos/Video/Audio: You should use a combination of photos, video, and audio to construct your project. Photos will need to be located and acquired via google images. Documentaries must be acquired via youtube.com or any other online engine.

Due Date: This assignment is worth up to 100 points and is due by Thursday, March 7th class time. I will need a digitized copy of the digital story. Anything submitted after that day will be deducted points.

Film Showcase: When the projects are done, videos will be displayed at the end of the semester. Students may introduce their videos. Students will also receive a digital copy of their work for their viewing and sharing pleasures.

Grading: Grades for this project will be based on the following criteria: using an approved photo (33.3 points); using approved video footage (33.3 points); and using voice narration (33.3 points) for a combined total of 100 points.

Aurasam: For completion of this project students must utilize Aurasma Studio. It can be found at www.aurasma.com. Students must log into Aurasma Studio to create trigger images, upload the overlay video, and consolidate the image, video, and voice over.

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